Machine and method for indenting tubing



Nov. 28, 1944. c. DEWEY MACHINE AND METHOD FOR INDENTING TUBING Nov. 28, 1944.

C. L. DEWEY MACHINE AND METHOD FOR INDENTING TUBING Filed Dec. 30, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 28, 1944. c. L. DEWEY MACHINE AND METHOD FOR INDENTING- TUBING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 30, 1942 raw.

warzzz. 5644 6y Patented Nov. 28, 194d MACHINE AND METHOD FOR INDENTING TUBING Clarence L. Dewey, Elkhart, Ind.

Application December 30. 1942, Serial No. 470,594

14 Claims.

The present invention is directed to the means and method for squaring or otherwise indenting the walls of tapered or cylindrical tubing in order to produce paneled effects, longitudinally extend ing fluting, or combinations of various patterns of this character in order to provide a suitably patterned surface in lengths of tubing intended for use in the manufacture of tubular furniture, lamp standards or fixtures, bicycle or airplane frames, or structural elements in which it is desired to flatten or otherwise modify the form of a circular tube to better adapt it for uses where a pleasing ornamentation is desired or where structural requirements indicate the use of a non-circular action of tubing.

The invention is particularly directed to the intermeshing or interleaving arrangement of the shutter die blades which operate in properly computed relation to one another in applying the compressive pressures variously directed radially toward the center of the tube. Thus the tube will be reenforced on all sides against bulging or distortion as the die blades approach toward and recede from one another within the region of compression and in planes which are approximately coincident with one another due to the fact that each die head is provided with a group of relatively thin die blades which are interspersed or interleaved with the adjacent transversely acting die blades so'th'at the entire compressive action is closely localized or concentrated in a limited region within which the tube is adequately reenforced on all sides. This is of special importance in flattening the walls of thin tubing and in cases where it is not feasible or practicable to provide interior reenforcement.

The invention is further directed to the means provided" for mounting and actuating the die blades and the general structure of the machine as a whole. Further objects and details will appear from a description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein jFigure 1 is a cross-sectional elevation of the machine illustrating four sets of die blades with the mountings therefor;

' Fig. 2 is. a perspective view of one of the die head mountings with a die head having four shutter die blades;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; and 12 are cross sections of a length of tubing showing the configuration thereof at correspondingly indicated points on Fig. 4;

Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 16 are various cross-sectional formations which may be produced by the use of a machine having six groups of die blades in lieu of the four groups illustrated in Figs. 1-4; and

Figs. 17 and 18 are cross sectional formations produced by four groups of die blades having edges of a non-pianate configuration.

'ljhe machine as a whole is mounted within four structural steel cradles In, each consisting of a rear section Hand a front section 12 fitted together to afford a right-.angularly walled cradle for the support of the mechanisms presently to be described. The cradle sections are of large T-iormation having downwardly converging flanged faces l3 and it respectively. The cradle sections are also provided with base flanges i 5 and i 6 which are bolted to transversely extending base I-beams ii. The flanges of the cradle sections are welded to the triangular body or web portions, and the rear edge of the rear cradle section is welded to the inner flange i8 of a ver- Fig. 4 is a front view of the machine with the a tical standard it of I-beam construction.

The cradle sections it and I2 cooperate with an obliquely disposed over-hanging section 20 of I-beam construction which has an obliquely disposed base fiange 2i welded to its rear end for attachment to the flange E8 of the vertical standard ill by means of bolts and nuts 22 or the like.

The cradle arrangement affords a square-cornered enclosure open at the front side and rigidly based upon and supported by the base beams which, as shown, in the present exemplification are four in number, thus providing mountings for four cradles of the character previously described, although it will be understood that the number may be multiplied to any extent required depending upon the length of the tube sections which are to be operated upon, and the structural rigidity required to afford a firm and unyielding frame for the reception of the operating mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 4, the cradle structures are spaced a considerable distance from one another, and the cradles are connected and the structure unified by the provision of a base rear plate 23, a lower front plate 24, and an upper plate 25, which three plates in conjunction provide a rightangled box-like enclosure standing on edge and open at the upper front to afford access to the interior of the machine.

The rear base plate 23 terminates at its lower edge in an inwardly extending ridge beam 26 shouldered at its upper edge 21 to receive a lower templet 28 which is held in position by a series of clips 29 secured by bolts 30. A similar upper ridge beam 3| is provided at the upper edge of the rear base plate 23 and is shouldered at 32 to receive a rear templet 33 held in place by a series of clips 34 and bolts 35. The lower front plate 24 bears against the obliquely disposed lower front face of the ridge beam 26 and is bolted thereto by bolts 36 and similarly the upper plate 25 bears against the rear upper face of the ridge beam 3| and is bolted thereto by bolts 31.

The front edge of the upper plate 25 is inturned to provide a ridge beam 38 which is shouldered at 39 to receive a templet 40 held in place by clips 4| and bolts 42. Similarly the front edge of the lower plate is provided with a ridge beam 43 shouldered at 44 toreceive a templet 45 held in place by clips 46 and bolts 41....

This arrangement provides mountings for four equally spaced templets all projecting inwardly in radial planes toward a center point which is coincident with the axis of the tube to be operated upon.

The lower plate 24 is provided with an inwardly projecting carriage rail 48 which lies in opposed relation to a similar carriage rail 49 inwardly projecting from the upper plate 25. The carriage rails in conjunction provide track-ways for the travel of a carriage 50, the structure of which is best illustrated in Fig. 3. The carriage comprises two rugged square plate sections and 52 which are secured together by through-bolts 53 and nuts 54. The carriage stands in square or parallel rather'than diagonal relation to the base of the machine so that the rear upper and forward lower corners of the carriage present themselves directly toward the track-ways, and in order to provide a smooth riding contact with the track-ways, the corners of the carriage sections are elongated to provide longitudinal oppositely extending feet 55 reenforced by webs 55 which I feet are secured by bolts 51 to a block 58 having bolted thereto guide bars 59 which embrace the sides of the track-way 49 (or 48 as the case may be). In order to provide a smooth contact surface against the track-rail, each of the blocks 58 is obliquely faced to receive a wedge-shaped shim 60 having at its thicker end a lug 6| through which is entered an adjusting screw 62 threaded into a tapped recess 63 in the end of the block which permits the shim to be adjusted to the desired degree to provide a smooth riding contact for the carriage. It will be understood that the above mounting is duplicated on opposite corners of the carriage which is thus guided in its feeding movements which are effected through the provision of a feed screw 64 threaded through a nut 65, entered through a pair of lugs 66, which constitute extensions from the rear lower corner of the carriage and which receive through-bolts 61 which in conjunction with a through-bolt 68 and the bolts 53 combine to unite the two carriage sections together.

It will be noted that each of the side faces of the square carriage confronts one of the templets, and these faces are inwardly recessed as at 69, which recessed faces in conjunction provide guide channels for the in and out radial movements of slide blocks Ill, each of which is bifurcated at its outer end to provide ears H and between each pair of ears is journaled a roller 12 which contacts the configured inner edge of the associated templet. In order to normally hold each of the rollers into contact with the adjacent templet,

' lugs 13 are provided to receive the outer ends of guide pins 14, each of which carries a coil spring 15 having its inner end entered within a socket recess 16 in the adjacent wall of the carriage and in position to exert an outward thrust against the slide block and the roller carried thereby.

Each of the slide blocks at its inner end has entered therethrough a screw bolt TI which is entered into a head 18 of a die member, the acting inner end of which is incut to afford a plurality of spaced blades 19, the inner edges of which afford the acting surfaces for contact with the wall of the tube being subjected to a paneling or configuring operation.

By comparison of Fig. 1 with Fig. 3, which latter is sectioned on line 33, it will be noted that the blades of diametrically opposed die members lie in the same planes and likewise that the blades of the intervening die members lie in interspersed or intervening relation to the planes first mentioned, so that as the opposed dies move toward each other, the blades will slip between the blades of the intervening dies which stand at a angle to the first, thereby affording clearance for the in and out movements of the blades while at the same time affording extended reenforcement on all sides of the tube within the region subjected to deformation, so that opposed pressures will be applied to all sides of the tube and within planes which closely approach coincidence with one another.

By applying the pressures in this manner, the tube will not be subjected to any appreciable amount of longitudinally displaced pressures in any substantial degree since the acting blades are quite thin and are interspersed with one another at closely recurrent intervals.

In order to prevent gouging or galling of the metal, it is preferred to give to the acting edges of the individual blades a slightly beveled and throated configuration as shown in Fig. 3 and with the acting edges of each group progressively more advanced inwardly from front to fear as the carriage advances so that the tube surface will be progressively compressed smoothly and evenly without scratching or abrasion. Although in Figs. 1 and 3, the blades are shown as having straight edges to secure a flat four-sided panel effect, it is possible to vary the resultant pressure applied to the tube, by no-tching the edges of four. groups of blades to produce the eightsided effect shown in Fig. 17, or providing a rounded protuberance on the edge of each blade to give the fluted or grooved effect hown in Fig. 18.

Figs. 13, 14, 15, and 16 illustrate various configurations which may be secured by the use of six groups of blades arranged in hexagonal relation instead of in the quadrilateral arrangement previously described. With a group of six operating units, the effect shown in Fig. 13 can be secured by actively operating alternate members of the group to compress three sides only of the tube which gives the triangular effect shown. By similarly operating all six of the members of the group, the hexagonal effect of Fig. 14 may be secured. In the case of Fig. 15 each blade of each of the six groups will be provided with a protuberant edge to give the grooved effect on all six sides while the employment of alternate groups of blades only will give the effect shown in Fig. 16.

The above views serve to illustrate some of the possibilities of the present invention although it will be understood that various other efiects or combinations can besecured by the employment of blades configured properly to give the indented or paneled effects desired.

In order to hold the tube in fixed position during the travel of the carriage, a pivoted chuck 8| is employed, the jaw members of which are enclosed in a tubular housing 82 having beveled against a portion of the frame, the arrangement being one which permits/a length of tubing to be .socketed against the end of the stem 89 which is then forcedyrearwardly against spring pressure to permit the opposite end of the tube to enter the chuck after which the chuck is tightened to hold the tube firmly against withdrawal while the carriage moves from the dotted line position indicated at the left of Fig. 4 toward the right under the feeding action of the feed screw 84. The feed screw is driven by suitable reduction gearing located within a housing 83 and in train with the shaft of a motor 94 carried by a bracket 95 at the left hand end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 4.

In order to facilitate the positioningof a length of tube section, the carriage is provided in its center with an opening 96 through which the end of the tube is projected while the carriage occupies the left hand position with the dies split or opened to the fullest extent by contact of the rollers 12 with depressed portions of the respective templets.

Operation In most cases it will be found desirable to employ the machine and method of the present invention in the flattening or grooving of tubing which has been previously tapered or otherwise configured by the employment of the Dewey method as set forth in Patent No. 2,265,723. The Dewey method in question produces a configured tube of varying circular cross-section at different points; and the present machine and method are employed to give to such configured tubing the paneled, grooved, or flattened effect to various portions thereof in order to give to the completed tubing the configuration desired at each point to conform to the requirements of its intended use.

Thus, in certain cases, it may be desirable to flatten or spread out the tubing in order to readily bend it to arched configuration as in the case of tubing employed in furniture construction wherein the end portions are downturned to provide legs while the intermediate portion is fiattened to produce a chair arm or the like.

The templets employed are configured to give to each portion of a length of tubing the required vertical and transverse dimensions so that with the templets thus computed, a single traverse of the machine carriage will transform the tubing into a structural element or the like fully configured to perform its ultimate intended service.

In ,Figure 4 I have illustrated a section of tubing thus transformed to meet the requirements of a combined leg and arm element of a chair or sofa. The left hand portion and the right hand portion, ll-ll, excepting the extreme ends, |2-l2, have-previously been configured or tapered bythe Dewey process, while the middle portion, Ill-l8, is the cylindrical formation of the original tube, as are the extreme ends.

The carriage, as shown, has moved from the starting position at the left; and the templets acting on four sides of the tubing have already given to the tube the paneled or fiat-sided configuration as indicated in the cross-sections 6, I, 8, and 8. It will be noted that no contact of the die blades has been effected until the carriage has moved to-a position intermediate between sections 5 and 8, at which point the templets on all sides present somewhat abrupt elevations which cause the dies to move inwardly equally and in unison on all four sides thereby producinga square paneled taper having rounded corners which continues through section 6 and almost to section I, at which point the taper disappears for a short distance.

Thereafter between sections 8 and 8, the upper and lower die blades shown in Fig. 4 move outwardly while the intervening die blades move inwardly from each side to produce the flattened effect shown in Fig. 9. As will be noted from the uniform intermediate section of the templets this flattened effect will continue until the carriage reaches a position corresponding to section 9 at the left hand end of the tube, after which, as the carriage continues to travel to the right, the previously described operations will be repeated in reverse sequence, so that after the carriage has completed its traverse and withdrawn the die blades from contact with the tube, the latter will present a symmetrical effect from end to end corresponding to the completed section shown at the left of Fig. 4.

The tubing thus squared and completed may be conveniently removed from the open front side of the machine by loosening up the chuck and withdrawing the tube from the retraced dies, after which the process may be repeated.

A tubular element or unit thus flattened throughout its intermediate portion may be readily bent in the plane of its lesser diameter to provide a chair arm arched downwardly at each'end to provide legs and thus be used as a unified element in a chair frame or similar structure. I

Where grooving or fiuting is desired, it may be readily secured by configuring the acting edges of the die blades to produce the intended effect, and various combinations including panels interspersed with circular sections may be readily produced by the employment of templets having the proper configuration in conjunction with suitably chosen dies. By interspersing the die blades in the manner described, they may be made relatively thin, since they serve to reenforce one another and at the same time the separation of the blades composing each die set affords intervening gaps between the lines of contact which facilitate the inward displacement of the metal and reduces friction or a tendency to gall or abrade the metal surface.

The invention is one which, in conjunction with the machine and method of the Dewey Patent No. 2,265,723, affords means for the rapid and uniform production of a great variety of tubular products which may be configured not only in a way which will greatly improve the style and sets of fixedly located -dies is equally con-. templated, so that unless otherwise indicated in the claims, the latter are intended to cover and include the reverse arrangement above mentioned.

I claim:

1. In a machine of th class described the combination of a frame, means for supporting a length of tubing longitudinally of the frame, a die carrying member and means for moving said -member and the tubing longitudinally with relation to one another, a, plurality of slides carried by said member and movable radially toward and from the axis of the tubing and in angularly spaced relation to one another to concurrently compress different sides of the wall of the tubing, a rubbing die carried by each of the slides and each die comprising a group of closely spaced relatively thin, non-rotating die blades presenting their acting inner edges transversely across the wall of the tubing and in opposed relation to companion groups, and means for regulating the inner and outer movements of the slides concurrently with the relative movement of the die blades and the tubing to indent the tube wall conformably to the intended pattern.

2. In a. machine of the class described the combination of a frame, means for supporting a length of tubing longitudinally of the frame, a die carrying member and means for moving said member and the tubing longitudinally with relation to one another, a plurality of slides carried by saidmem'ber and movable radially toward and from the axis of the tubing and in angularly spaced relation to one another to concurrently compress diflerent sides of the wall of the tubing, a rubbing die carried by each of the slides and each die comprising a groupof closely spaced die blades presenting their acting inner edges transversely across the wall of the tubing and in opposed relation to companion groups and adapted to move axially in interspersed planes to bring the adjacent edges of contiguous blades into interleaved relation to one another, and

means for regulating the inner and outer movements of the slides concurrently with the relative movement of the die blades and the tubing to indent the tube wall conformably to the intended pattern. v

3. In a machine of the class described the combination of a frame, means for supporting a length of tubing longitudinally of the frame, a die carrying member and means for moving said member and the tubing longitudinally with relation to one another, slides standing in substantially right angle relation to one another and carried by said member and movable radially toward and from the axis of the tubing and in opposed relation to one another to concurrently compress difierent sides of the wall of the tubing, a rubbing die carried by each of the slides and each die comprising a group of closely spaced relatively thin, non-rotating die blades presenting their acting inner edges transversely across the wall of the tubing and in substantially right angular relation to another group, and means for regulating the inner and outer movements of the slides concurrently with the relative movement or the die blades and the tubing to indent the tube wall conformably to the intended pattern.

4. In a machine of the class described the combination of a frame, means for supporting a length of tubing longitudinally of the frame, a die carrying member and means forv moving said member and the tubing longitudinally with relation to oneanother, slides standing in uniformly spaced relation to one another and carried by said member and movable radially toward and from the axis of-the tubing and in opposed relation to one another to concurrently compress ditferent sides of the wall of the tubing, a rubbing die carried by each of the slides and each die comprising a group of closely spaced die blades presenting their acting inner edges transversely across th wall of the tubing and in opposed relation to companion groups, the acting inner end edge portions of the rubbing blades being of substantially greater width than the diameter of the tubing to be deformed thereby and the blades of said groups being arranged in interspersed planes to bring the adjacent outer blade edges of contiguous groups into interleaved relation to one another and means for regulating the inner and outer movements of the slides concurrently with the relative movement of the die blades and the tubing to indent the tube wall conformably to the intended pattern.

5. In a machine of the class described the combination of a frame comprising a. plurality of spaced cradles having base, back, and top plates secured m'thin the cradles to provide a box-like structure, track rails carried by the frame and a carriage mounted to travel longitudinally thereon,v a plurality of slides carried by the carriage, and movable, at different angles to one another, radially toward the center of the carriage, means for holding a length of tubing fixedly within the frame in position to extend through the carriage and between the inner ends of the slides, a group of closely spaced rubbing die blades carried at the inner end of each of the slides, the die blades of contiguous groups positioned to move in interleaving relation to one another and with their acting inner edges extending transversely across the length of tubing, means for feeding the carriage longitudinally, and a templet for each slide carried by the frame and adapted to engage the slide and regulate its in and out movements to control the extent of indentation imparted to the wall faces of the tubing.

6. In a machine of the class described the combination of a. frame having a track, a carriage longitudinally movable along said track and open through its interior, means for feeding the carriage, clamping means for fixedly engaging a section of tubing extending through the carriage, a plurality of slides carried by the carriage and movable, at difierent angles to one another, radially toward the axis of the tubing, a group of closely spaced rubbing die blades carried by each of the slides and having the blades of contiguous groups positioned to move in interleaving relation to one another with their acting inner edges extending transversely across the length of tubing, and means associated with each slide for regulating its inner and outer movements in conformity with the degree of indenting of the tube wall required in producing the intended pattern.

7. In a machine of the class described the combination of a frame having a track, a carriage longitudinally movable along said track and open through its interior, means for feeding the carriage, clamping means for fixedly engaging a sec- -tio" of tubing extending through the carriage, a

plurality of slides carried by the carriage and movable, tit-different angles to one another, radially toward the axis of the tubing, a. group of closely spaced rubbing die blades carried by each of the slides and having the blades of contiguous groups positioned to move in interleaving relation to one another with their acting inner edges group of closely spaced rubbing die blades carried by each of the slides and having the blades of contiguous groups positioned to move in interleaving relation to one another with their acting inner edges extending transversely across the length of tubing, and means associated with each slide for regulating its inner and outer move denting of the tube wall required in producing the intended pattern.--

8. In a machine of the class described the combination of .a frame having a track, a carriage longitudinally movablealong s'aid track and open through its interior, means for feeding the carriage, clamping means for fixedly engaging a section of tubing extending through the carriage, a

plurality of slides carried by the carriage and movable, at diiferent angles to one another, radially toward the axis of the tubing, a group of closely spaced rubbing die blades carried by each tending transversely across the lengthof tubing,

a longitudinally extending templet for each slide e y secured to the frame adjacent the line of travel of the associated slide for regulating its inner and outer movements in conformity with the degree of indenting of the tube wall required in producing the intended pattern.

9. In a machine of the class described the combination of a frame having a track, a carriage longitudinally movable along said track and open through its interior, means for feeding the carriage, clamping means for fixedly engaging a section of tubing extending through the carriage, a plurality of slides carried by'the carriage and movable, atdifierent angles to one another, radially toward the axis of the tubing, a group of closely spaced rubbing die blades carried by each of the slides and having the blades of conti uous groups positioned to move in interleaving relation to one another with their acting inner edges extending transversely across the length of tubing, and with the blades of each group projecting inwardly in greater degree toward the trailing edge of the group, a longitudinally extending templet for each slide fixedly secured to the frame adjacent the line of travel of the associated slide for regulating its inner and outer movements in conformity with the degree of indenting of the tube wall required in producing the intended pattern.

10. In a machine of the class described in combination of a frame having a track, a carriage consisting of companion fiat-faced sections each radially grooved to receive a plurality of slides and bolted together in fiatwise relation to one another and longitudinally movable along said track and open through its interior, means for feedingthe carriage, clamping means for fixedly engaging a section of tubingextending through the carriage, a plurality of slides carried by the carriage and movable, at different angles to one another, radially toward the axis of the tubing, 2.

.ments in conformity with the degree of indenting of the tube wall required in producing the intended pattern.

11. In a machine of the class described the combination of a frame having a track, a carriage consisting of companion flat-faced sections each radially grooved to receive a plurality of slides and bolted together in fiatwise relation to one another and longitudinally movable alon said track and open through its interior, means for feeding the carriage, clamping means for fixedly engaging a section of tubing extending through the carriage, a plurality of slides carried by the carriage and movable, at difierent angles to one another, radially toward the axis of the tubing, a group of closely spaced rubbing die blades carried by each of the slides and having the blades of contiguous groups positioned to move in interleaving relation to one another with their acting inner edges extending transversely across the length of tubing, and with the blades of each group projecting inwardly in greater degree toward the trailing edge of the group, and means associated with each slide for regulating its inner and outer movements in conformity with the degree of indenting of the tube wall required in producing the intended pattern.

12. The method of indenting a plurality of laterally disposed faces of a curvedly sectioned length of tubing which consists in subjecting each of said faces to radially directed rubbing compressive contact applied to each said face wall of the tubing in a group of closely spaced pressure lines extending transversely across the face of the tubing, and in severally adjusting in independently regulated degree the application of said groups of pressure lines at progressively.

varying distances from the tube axis, and in concurrently longitudinally moving the pressure applying agency and' the tubing with respect to each other and thereby subjecting the respective faces of the tube wall to the degree of indenting required in producing the intended pattern.

13. The method of indenting a plurality of angularly related faces, of a curvedly sectioned length of tubing which consists in subjecting each of said faces to radially directed rubbing compressive contact applied to each said face wall of the tubing in a group of closely spaced pressure lines extending transversely across the face of the tubing, adjoining groups of pressure lines being directed in interspersed planes relative to one another, and in severally adjusting in independently regulated degree the application of said groups of pressure lines at progressively varying distances from the tube axis, and in concurrently longitudinally moving the pressure applying rubbing compressive contact applied to the face wall of the tubing in a group of closely spaced parallel pressure lines extending transversely across the face of the tubing, and in severally adjusting in independently regulated degree the application of said groups of pressure lines at progressively varying distances from the tube axis.

pattern.

CLARENCE L. DEWEY. 

